To be honest with ourselves, it will take a long time for Nigeria to truly develop and mature politically and economically. Many citizens agitate for change online, but when it comes to reality, their words do not match their actions.
Politically, democracy remains the best system of government for Nigeria. We have tried the parliamentary system and military rule, yet our democracy still feels like a scam. How can political figures ignore citizens and communities for years, only to suddenly remember them when elections are approaching? All of a sudden they begin fixing roads, increasing salaries, and promoting civil servants overnight. Many governors who didn’t pay the 13th month salary are now paying it. Aspirants begin to act like “good Samaritans”, digging boreholes, installing solar street lights, taking pictures with mechanics, eating with hawkers, pretending to be humble overnight. When will Nigerians learn?
Just the other day, I saw a large crowd following a man seeking a political position, even causing heavy traffic. Ironically, most of the amenities these politicians are now providing already exist in our budgets; constituency projects, state allocations, and other funds meant to improve lives. What they are doing now should not be a favour; it should be their normal responsibility.
In Kwara State, the governorship position is supposed to follow zoning, and it is the turn of Kwara North. Yet, many people from Kwara West are already coming out to contest, ignoring this arrangement. One particular contestant recently donated huge sums of money; millions to organisations, another donated ₦200 million to the University of Ilorin. When I told someone that this was wrong, he said, “He is the richest among all the contestants.” I asked him: Is that what we should be thinking about? This man wants your mandate, so why is he suddenly donating money because elections are near? A good leader does not buy love; he earns it with competence and integrity, not with money.
If he eventually becomes governor, the first thing he will do is recover every kobo he spent during the election. This is why we keep recycling leaders who disappoint us, become arrogant, and disobey party decisions. We need leaders we can choose based on competence, character, and track record; not wealth. Leaders we can boldly confront because we voted for them out of love, not because of money.
As long as we continue to monetise elections, nothing will change. Think of it this way: add the 6 years Goodluck Jonathan spent in office, the 8 years Buhari spent, and the 3 years Tinubu has already used;that is 17 years. Add it to your age, and you will realise you are no longer a child. So how long will we keep waiting for good governance and a better Nigeria?
Let no one deceive you: God will not come down to solve our problems. Foreigners will not fix Nigeria; in fact, they may make things worse. Change begins with us; our mindset, our choices, and our refusal to sell our future for temporary benefits.
Well this has been said a good number of times that the government doesn't have the well-being of the masses that voted them into power, all they care about is to loot funds to replace what they spend during campaigns, the citizens keeps allowing themselves to be used as soon as they see ten Kobo and you can't actually blame them because they are hungry and any given petty cash they see they begin to do the wishes of this politicians.
Nigeria is underdeveloped, we don't have visionary leaders who have what it takes to revive Nigeria and corruption has also taken over the system of governance where it's Man know Man, if you don't have connections or God father in the system you can't even get a good job for yourself as a graduate. Nigeria needs revolution where all the old politicians that has been in power since 1960 be taken out, all agitations for changes only remains on social media and don't come to reality if anyone wants to spare head a group for revolution to take place this politicians pass through the backdoor and pay the group or person off.
